Surfers Pay Respects to Shorty

Sunday 29 November 2009

People from far and wide came to pay their respects to one of South Africa's surfing pioneers, Shorty Bronkhorst. We give you a photo essay of the day, held along the point in Jeffreys Bay yesterday. A special photo tribute by Garth Robinson.

More than 50 friends and family of Shorty Bronkhorst gathered at Jeffreys Bay's Point to pay their last respects to the surfing legend. It was a fine sunny day with a 3 foot southerly swell being gently tickled by a looming easterly, which kept at bay until after all proceedings had ended.

Neptune was paying his own respects it seemed. Locals came out of the notorious J-Bay woodwork and friends and family made their way from afar to be present at the sad but happy occasion. Ex-New Pier now J-Bay local Gary Drimie delivered a fine eulogy and a moment's silence was observed before the mass paddle out commenced. In keeping with Shorty's happy disposition everyone was in good spirits as a queue started to form in the paddle out channel.

The collection of ancient and modern surfboards that slowly took to the water could have filled any museum, and it was evident from the droves entering the keyhole that Shorty was very well liked. Most surfers had picked flowers that were carried out in their teeth, down the wetsuit neck or up the sleeves. A stiff rip running left of the keyhole claimed a few boards and bodies, with Clive Barber taking strain when he had an asthma attack and ended up on the bricks with shredded knees. At his age he deserves an award for his level of commitment to his old friend Shorty's memory and to surfing in general.

Slowly the circle began to form as friends (and some foes) joined hands for the moment when Shorty's son Glen said his last goodbye's and scattered Shorty's ashes, while in the keyhole his daughters threw flowers into the ocean. Then the water erupted with wild splashing and hooting as Shorty was given a send off into the great big lineup in the sky. Then waves were traded with every wave a family wave.

Afterwards proceedings moved to the Supertubes Park where beers were consumed while Shorty tales were told in a fitting tribute to a very special person.